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Fpn Pens: Stop Press

Admin

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Dearest Members of the Board,

 

When the FPN Store was opened for the voters to pay for their pens, we had votes for 89 Azurite Etrurias, 157 Blue Celluloid Etrurias, 227 Modello Ts, and 215 Passaportos, a total of 688 pens. As 93 % is the cut-off point for ordering, we thought we could go as far as a total of 760 pens, namely 100 Azurite Etrurias, 200 Blue Celluloid Etrurias, 230 Modello Ts, and 230 Passaportos. 93 % of 760 is 707, or 19 pens more than voted for.

 

The current situation, a little over a month after opening our store, with primary (very dark grey bar) and secondary (medium grey bar - we'll go into this a bit further down) cut off points below each graphical representation of pens voted for, all in percentages:

 

Passaporto (Chrome and Gold coloured trim) :

   52%

   93%

   81%

 

Modello T (MOP plus Azurite clip jewels):

   31%

   93%

   47%

 

Etruria Azurite (all trims and nibs):

   10%

   93%

   93%

 

Blue Celluloid (acetate; all trims and nibs):

   20%

   93%

   47%

 

We need to be at 93 % of pens paid for before we can realistically order all of these pens, which is what we were aiming for. Still a way to go IOW. 192 pens are paid for, of a possible 760.

 

However, if need be we could lower these numbers, to a total of 500 pens, namely 100 Modello Ts, and 100 Blue Celluloid Etrurias, 200 Passaportos, and 100 Azurite Etrurias (the latter is the same number). This does mean we would have to ask a higher price for the Modello T and Etruria Blue Celluloid, as we would run at a loss otherwise. The cut-off percentages for these numbers are provided in the second, medium grey bar underneath each pen.

 

IOW, we would like to urge those who voted, to please order and pay for your pens as quickly as possible. Do note that any hold up here will mean a hold up for everybody who ordered and paid for their pens. We would like to stress once more that this is a group buy, and everybody who voted, in principle committed to buying the pens voted for, as was clearly indicated in the polls. The pricing of these pens actually reflects the number of commitments given by means of these votes.

 

We have therefore also decided to increase prices of these pens in another 10 days, the idea being that we wil be able to produce these pens at smaller runs this way if necessary. So, ordering and paying for the pens you voted for, will become more expensive in 10 days time. The starter discount, so to speak, will end.

 

In case you forgot which pens you voted for, the system is of help here. In each poll, in front of the pens you actually voted for, there will appear an small 5-pointed star, in short, easy to check which ones you committed to. As a reminder, here follow the links to the polls:

 

FPN LE 2011 Passaportos

FPN LE 2011 Modello Ts

FPN LE 2011 Etrurias

 

In the mean time we did get assistance from someone with a fair amount of spare time on hand, to start emailing all those who did not order their pens yet, as a reminder, especially with the upcoming price increase.

 

Furthermore, for those who voted and those who did pay, we have opened a new forum, specifically for discussions and questions relating to these pens. We will set up a poll here for the final inscription of these pens as well.

For those with access, you can find it by scrolling to the bottom of the board in forum view, or by following this link:

 

FPN LE Pens 2011 Forum

 

Warm regards,

your FPN Admin Team

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64 Comments

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kev77

I didn't vote. When the poll was active, I thought there was no way in hades I could buy one of those. Monetary situations change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.

 

I have ordered two Model-T's. One for me as a celebration of finally being done with knee surgeries (crossed fingers).

The is other if for my surgeon, who I have gotten to know pretty darned good over the last three plus years. He's also a fountain pen guy. Hope he's not here reading this. It would ruin the surprise. When you find a doctor who admits to you that you have kept him awake at night trying to figure what didn't work and why, and what to do next; you latch onto that person. After four surgeries in three years, I get to walk better now than I have for years. He gets a pen. Still seems out of balance.

 

I also ordered a Passaporto.

 

I'm sorry some won't be able to order, when they really hoped they could. I just feel lucky that I can when even a short couple months ago, I knew I wouldn't.

 

I hope I've helped out a little in getting the numbers where they need to be.

 

Now, do I get a say so in the engraving? I didn't vote in the poll, but my order should count for something.

 

Kev

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wimg

Hi scribbler

I missed the poll entirely. I was traveling and had only intermittent access to the internet.

 

However, I am most appreciative of the organizers for making it possible to order these pens.

 

I have ordered a Passaporto and am considering a Modelo T. Do you combine shipping if I add to my order, or must I order several at the same time to get combined shipping?

Just use the second page of the store for additional pen orders - it allows you to associate an existing order with a new one, and therewith enables combined shipping.

 

For convenience, you can also use the link at the top of the page to go to the additional pen ordering part of the store.

If you haven't already done so, you might send a general message to all FPN members that sales are open to all. When I first tried to order, the system told me I couldn't--it had to be an extra order for those who had answered the poll and paid. Eventually I subsequently found a place to order.

Somehow you got to the second page first - I'll see what we can do about that. Thanks!

Finally: I am still confused as to what the percentages in the charts mean. The second line in several is at 93 percent. The third line is less. What should we be watching for? We really need only two lines: one showing how close we are to meeting the original goal (93% of the projected quantity), and how close we are to meeting a reduced goal (that may involve additional charges for new orders). It also wouldn't hurt to have the actual number ordered and the actual number of the goal.

Since you paid for a pen, you now hace access to the FPN LE Pens 2011 forum (this is also true for all voters currently). There is more information in that forum. And I agree, the graph may have been confusing. Between now and the next few days we will put up a new graph, which doesn't use BB-code, which is much more clear, and indeed includes the numbers.

 

As to the difference in cost for a lower number, we are still in discussion with Stipula, and within the Admin team, and checking what can be done.

It is good to know that once a quota is filled for a given type, the order for production can go ahead.

Yes, exactly. That means that the Modello T is there already, and the Passaporto almost, and likely to get there.

 

We are in discussion with Stipula about the Etrurias.

 

Warm regards, Wim

Link to comment
wimg

One more thought. Would it help sales to remind members of what comparable models that are not FPN LE's cost? I note, for example, that the Stipula Model T in "vintage ebonite" lists for $245.00 at Fahrney's in Washington, D.C., with a discounted price of $196.00. This is more than 110.00 Euros for U.S. customers. Some members may not be aware that the FPN prices are that favorable.

Well, we did try to keep prices within reason, for all models. We make only relatively little on these pens, and only need to make little, which we will apply to server hosting and such. This site is entirely run by volunteers, so we have no need to cover storage, labour or financing costs. We do have transaction costs (several times unfortunately), and VAT, where applicable, and that is it. Hence the lower price, even when taking the shipping costs into consideration.

 

So I guess that yes, maybe we should do so. Something that is obvious to us may indeed not be obvious to others.

 

Warm regards, Wim

Link to comment
wimg

Hi Kev,

I didn't vote. When the poll was active, I thought there was no way in hades I could buy one of those. Monetary situations change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.

 

I have ordered two Model-T's. One for me as a celebration of finally being done with knee surgeries (crossed fingers).

The is other if for my surgeon, who I have gotten to know pretty darned good over the last three plus years. He's also a fountain pen guy. Hope he's not here reading this. It would ruin the surprise. When you find a doctor who admits to you that you have kept him awake at night trying to figure what didn't work and why, and what to do next; you latch onto that person. After four surgeries in three years, I get to walk better now than I have for years. He gets a pen. Still seems out of balance.

 

I also ordered a Passaporto.

 

I'm sorry some won't be able to order, when they really hoped they could. I just feel lucky that I can when even a short couple months ago, I knew I wouldn't.

 

I hope I've helped out a little in getting the numbers where they need to be.

 

Now, do I get a say so in the engraving? I didn't vote in the poll, but my order should count for something.

 

Kev

That's quite a moving story.

 

And yes, you will have something to say about the engraving. Just make sure you check the FPN LE Pens 2011 forum, to which you have access now (right at the bottom of the forum list).

 

We haven't started a new poll for the engraving yet, but will do so very soon.

 

Warm regards, Wim

Link to comment
langere

I suggest you put these figures out where everyone can see them to get more people to pay!

 

Erick

Link to comment
wimg

We do, just not as often as in the forum.

 

Warm regards, Wim

Link to comment
WriterJP

Is there a cut off date for when pen orders can be made? I am certain I'd like to order one for my desk at work here, but I was not active in the original voting process - does that make me ineligible to purchase one of these pens?

 

Regards,

 

JP

Link to comment
WriterJP

one more thing I forgot to ask - from reading this thread, it seems that the Model T pens are ready for production and the orders filled - does this mean that I've missed the boat in ordering one?

Link to comment
framebaer

I also had no idea that voting in the POLL meant commitment to buy. That was VERY UNCLEAR.

I have paid for the passporto I wanted but did not ever intend to buy the more expensive Model T and Eturia styles.

 

JB

Link to comment
agchristie

Even if you havent voted you can still order a pen and the modello ts are still available, i think this was just the minimum needed to be sold.

Link to comment
wimg

Is there a cut off date for when pen orders can be made? I am certain I'd like to order one for my desk at work here, but I was not active in the original voting process - does that make me ineligible to purchase one of these pens?

 

Regards,

 

JP

No, of course not. The voters got a 10 day head start for ordering. The FPN Store is open to all for a while already :D.

 

Warm regards, Wim

Link to comment
wimg

one more thing I forgot to ask - from reading this thread, it seems that the Model T pens are ready for production and the orders filled - does this mean that I've missed the boat in ordering one?

No, you haven't. We'll close the ordering for a specific pen once we get to the number that is possible to have produced, so no worry yet. The store actually indicates the number of pens still available for ordering.

 

The moment we have ordered with Stipula, the number will reflect the total number of pens actually to be made by Stipula, and the pens available will be set to the number still available for ordering based on the number to be produced.

 

HTH, warm regards, Wim

Link to comment
wimg

I also had no idea that voting in the POLL meant commitment to buy. That was VERY UNCLEAR.

I have paid for the passporto I wanted but did not ever intend to buy the more expensive Model T and Eturia styles.

 

JB

Ok, JB, thank you for letting us know, and for ordering the Passaporto.

 

Very unclear is relative of course, but let me say that we have learnt from this experience. For any next FPN Pen we will take a different approach.

 

Warm regards, Wim

Link to comment
wimg

Even if you havent voted you can still order a pen and the modello ts are still available, i think this was just the minimum needed to be sold.

Yes, exactly, thank you!

 

Warm regards, Wim

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